“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you
will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the
ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
I was sitting very comfortably
in my seat one Sunday morning at Christ United Methodist Church.
I remember that the Dearings were giving their report about their
work in the South Sudan. God spoke very clearly to me during that
message. You see, He knows me so well, that being subtle wouldn't work
with me. God told me very plainly that he wanted me to be a missionary
for Him. Since I am retired and not looking for a vocation, I was a bit
confused and bemused by this message. I heard the calling so clearly,
though, that I emailed an old friend and told her about it. I even said
that I didn't think that my husband would be very happy if I packed up and
moved to Africa to be a missionary.
God had spoken very plainly to me
before and I assumed that I would understand the message in due time. Due
time was one week. The very next Sunday, Reverend Mark made his appeal
for people from Christ United to be "urban missionaries" for a
year at St. Marks. Reverend Mark didn't ask for volunteers, or
helpers, or supporters, or workers, he asked for
"missionaries." As soon as he said that, tears welled up in my
eyes. God had called me and shown me where he intended for me to
serve. God had a plan for me. My year at St. Marks recently ended
and I look back with wonder at how God was able to use me in that place.
I didn't do miracles or work wonders, but I could see how God took my talents
and used them in service for Him.
God didn't want me to go to the ends of
the earth, He wanted me to work in my Jerusalem, right here in Chattanooga.
Jackie Caruso
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